Hi, we own a beautiful old (1914) house in the NW Bronx. There is a bathroom on the first floor which was added in the 1950's... but the added structure has no foundation. We removed the old tub and the sheetrock and it was very moldy. The wooden slats behind the sheetrock had rotted.

We are looking at bare earth under where the tub was.

Recognizing that this is most likely a teardown, is there anything that can be done to add something that will function as a "foundation" to an existing structure? The water has obviously been seeping up from the ground. We are hoping we can save this bathroom.

Thanks!

GBrackins

09-13-2012 09:16 PM

I would recommend hiring a design professional, either a professional engineer or architect to perform an evaluation of your existing conditions and determine an appropriate course of action. If you are like most people you need your bathroom back in action.

You can try a multitude of suggestions, but the quickest way of getting the correct answers is by having someone knowledgeable putting their "eyes" on your site and determining what is needed.

Good luck!

notmrjohn

09-13-2012 09:24 PM

The best thing you can add ' that will function as a "foundation" to an existing structure' is a foundation. What kind and how to do it is best answered by GB's expert. Especially if water is obviously seeping from ground, which can't be doing existing structure much good. Someone with his ' "eyes' on your site' and his feet firmly planted in the mud.

weekendwarrior9

09-14-2012 12:14 AM

There are ways to add foundation under an existing house, quite a few in fact so don't be hasty to write off the room! But it all depends on soil conditions, clearances, and local codes. As noted you need pro(s) to come in.

Don't look for a general contractor or handyman type for this, you'll need an architect and engineers. If you shop around you should be able to find someone to come and do a free consult, or at least an affordable one. Get a few opinions and decide how you want to proceed.

You'll probably need a structural engineer for designing the fix, but they'll probably need info from a soil engineer first.

oodssoo

09-14-2012 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NWBronx
(Post 1009437)

Hi, we own a beautiful old (1914) house in the NW Bronx. There is a bathroom on the first floor which was added in the 1950's... but the added structure has no foundation. We removed the old tub and the sheetrock and it was very moldy. The wooden slats behind the sheetrock had rotted.

We are looking at bare earth under where the tub was.

Recognizing that this is most likely a teardown, is there anything that can be done to add something that will function as a "foundation" to an existing structure? The water has obviously been seeping up from the ground. We are hoping we can save this bathroom.

Thanks!

Not saying this would help at all, but I am curious to see some photos of what you are talking about and looking at...

notmrjohn

09-14-2012 10:53 AM

What oods said, "...I am curious to see some photos..." I've heard of water falling from the sky, but it can come seeping from the ground all by itself? No windmill or nothin? Might save on length of pipe needed when replumbing new bath.
But, Bronx, need to find out where water is coming from, might be ground water, but could be plumbing leak in supply or, yuch, sewage line.

weekendwarrior9

09-14-2012 06:22 PM

depending on where you are, that area of new york has ground water depth at less than 11 feet.

On Manhattan, the city pumps an excess of 8 million gallons of water out of the subway system *daily*

Entirely possible it is ground water seepage, but yeah, need to find out for sure.

notmrjohn

09-14-2012 08:23 PM

"8 million gallons of water out of the subway system *daily*" if yall would just use boats instead of trains you wouldn't have to worry about it.
Looks like you're going to need some pretty deep pilings, but we'll just wait til you shall see what you shall see.
Saw a TV thing the other day about putting in pilings for little two bedroom shotgun in New Orleans, they used telephone poles, hoisted them into air by one end , then pounded all but 18" into ground in about ten seconds. But then in New Orleans there's more ground water in the ground than there is ground.
Well, even if you don't use pilings, keep us posted. .. See, what I did there was said keep us... I'll let myself out.